apartments/jobs in the GTA

[Tibbychick]

I'm really considering moving up there. I really have no future here on Long Island and will never ever be able to afford a house and raise a family or anything here. I can't even afford an apartment, you can't find anything around here for less than $1k a month and thats usually w/o utilities. Plus the only thing really keeping me here is my boyfriend, and he doesnt wanna move, but the relationship is going downhill anyway. So anyway, Im wondering about prices of apartments, with I guess one bedroom, or even a studio...I really have no idea what prices are like. I would also have to bring my 2 cats. Also I would obviously need to get a new job. I don't want to work at JC Penneys for the rest of my life anyways. But I really don't know what I wanna do. I like working on cars. I also like interior decorating. And I would love to work in the entertainment industry, like I guess the music industry, but again I'm really open to anything. But my biggest challenge is I have no college education. Any help at all would be appreciated, even links to websites, anything. I mean its not like I can just open up the newspaper and get info. I would so just pack up and go, but I do have to pay for my car and I would need a place to stay and a definite income before i made such a big change. Anyway thanks guys, I need some guidance.

[grimmy]

Heya's TC.. Sounds like quite a situation there - alot of doubts and uncertaincies, and alot of drive and charisma clashing away.
I can understand your position - you want to rise to the top, be the cream at the top of the bottle so the speak - but financials and a further eduction are holding you back.

It is difficult as you say, and I agree, to choose what to do - and where to go for future employment. I think many will point out that the solution may (and I emphasize MAY) not be moving from one metropolis to another. However, at the same time, I recognise there are ALOT of people in the USA that are moving to the bigger cities, like NY and LA, wishing for the better life. That causes general costs of living to skyrocket, along with unemployment rates, and competition for even the simplest of jobs.

Would moving up here be a good thing? Alot say yes. There is a reason that Ontario and Canada is one of the highest imported parts of the world for immigrants and refugees. Good roads, decent - but still kinda high taxation, and a decent Governement covered health plan, with little privatization.

To start you off on your journey - I guess some review of local newspapers up in the GTA and golden horseshoe (hamilton area) would be a good start. here's some links.

http://www.torontosun.com/ - Pull down menu at top right has career connections and classifieds and such.

http://www.thestar.com - Navigation menu on the left has career connections and classifieds and the like

http://www.hamiltonspectator.com - Not as good in my opinion as the above two - but for the Hamilton area.

Residential pricing...
Toronto and the GTA (Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York, Concord, and Vaughan) are VERY EXPENSIVE to rent or buy property.
Mississauga and Brampton are varied - however cheap rent is hard to find
Oakville is pretty good, some high and some low priced rents. Reasonable.
Burlington, even better - a bit of a drive from Toronto, but the savings in living are worth it, and if you land a job Downtown - the good old GO Train downtown is fast and CHEAP.
Hamilton area (Hamilton, Dundas (where I am), Waterdown, Oakville, Stoney Creek, Binbrook) are very much varying in prices. Some areas of Hamilton like the north side near the steel factories are CHEAP but can be slummy. $450 a month rent out there is common in some spots. Down in Dundas, up in Waterdown, or nearby in Ancaster are MUCH nicer, with good parks and neighbors you can get to know. Good people for the most part - LIKE ME! Rents are decent - but searching is required. I rent a townhouse with 3 best friends - total rent is 1250 CAD a month plus hydro and extras. 3 car driveway, garage, and backyard with deck.

I have lived in Scarborough - the best I could get price wise was a Basement Apt for $650 CAD a month. Hamilton was pretty good - but I love Dundas, and the people there.

Jobs.. if you want to be a professional... you will have to go to school. There are good universities up here, in Hamilton and Toronto. Several Colleges as well - Mohawk here in hamilton how offers DEGREE programs in a college. Its not like down there, where a "community college" is sometimes frowned upon. Many people come from out of town to to go colleges up here - they even have on campus 'res!

For work - check out http://www.monster.ca
You can search jobs - post a resume and more there.

I hope this information helps! Take it easy - save up ALOT of money before you move or do anything. Look at it this way - you need enough money to pay your First and Last months rents, Utility and communications hook-ups and Deposits, and a further 2 more months worth of money saved just in case work doesnt come a flying in the door in 2 weeks. Wth about 4 or 5 months saved, you are WAY ahead of the game, and getting work is less stressful, and you can search for that job you will enjoy.

Chin up girl - kick ass. hmmm... TC as a mechanic? Its something I have been thinking of going to school for... hmmm - food fer thought maybe.

-Scott/Grimmy
my MSN is grimm_dr@hotmail.com if you need more info - or just post here

[Edited by grimmy on Jun 17, 2004 10:29 PM]

[03tib]

yeah east ofd the city rent's generally fall down you can get a decent apartment in oshawa for 600-800 a month and lots of basement apartments around 500-550 plus only a 20 min drive to t.o, as for jobs there is plenty depending on what you want to do, I am a tech for a living and it sucks d keep fixin cars a hobby more fun. do you have any bartender expeirence? quick and easy money there to start

[Cottonmouth]

Our dealership is looking to hire a sales consultant.:

[99percentrice]

The bartender thing is an awsome idea.

http://www.bartendingontario.com/?src=overture

Just take the course and you're pretty much guaranteed to find a job somewhere in or around the city. Friends of mine have taken the course and managed to find a different bartender job for the past 3 summers when they are home from school.

[nyne]

what about the legal aspect of it all? citizenship and the sort.

the lack of professional experience will be a kick, but again, confidence sells.. a good presentation, charisma, and ambition go a long way.

[Vixen]

Originally posted by nyne
[body]
what about the legal aspect of it all? citizenship and the sort.

[/body]

That's what I was thinking. I don't think you can just pick up and move to another country and begin working (unless it's under the table). There's probably some sort of landed immigrant status you can get to work here though. Certainly something to look into.

I worked at a place for my co-op once and we had someone from Australia working in our dept. She had to try and prove that a Canadian Citizen could not do the work she was responsible for if they advertised the position. I don't know all the details, but once the deadline came and went, she couldn't prove it and she had to go back to Australia.

[grimmy]

Originally posted by Cottonmouth
[body]
Our dealership is looking to hire a sales consultant.:
[/body]

heh, Sorry TC, but I am interested in that there job - and I can even do PDI's and oilchanges, and the occasional turbocharger install

CM - I'll call ya soon - busy as hell today.
-Grimmy

[Tibbychick]

SWEET you guys are awesome, that really helps. As far as working in a dealership, Ive always thought about it, the one time I did work at Hyundai they had me doing telemarketing and I hated it. Other than that I liked the environment a lot. And bartending, yeah that'd be awesome. I could do that, 'cept I'd probably end up getting drunk every night, lol. As for citizenship, I know I can remain a US citizen if I move to Canada. I remember reading that once, but of course I'd have tpo double check. But anyway thanks again so much everybody.

[Cottonmouth]

Please consider the offer at the dealership. They are actively looking for a salesperson right now. I think you would be perfect for the job.